Boxing Guide: Every World Heavyweight Champion between 1885-2024

Ever since John L. Sullivan ruled the boxing world in the late 19th century, there have been a great amount of heavyweight world champions in professional boxing.

Since the sport has a number of different organizations, there are years where there have been multiple world champions at the same time.

In this massive boxing guide, Frontkick walks you through every heavyweight boxing champion between 1885-2024!

John L. Sullivan, 1885-1892

John L. Sullivan, is recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing and was the champ between 1885-1892.

The ”Boston Strong Boy” one of the world’s highest-paid athletes of his era and arguably the first boxing superstar.

James J. Corbett, 1892-1897

California born James J. Corbett defeated John L. Sullivan and was the heavyweight champion between 1892-1897.

Corbett, also known as ”Gentleman Jim”, faced the best competition in his era during his twenty-bout long career.

Bob Fitzimmons, 1897-1899

Bob Fitzimmons was the heavyweight champion between 1897-1899 and was the sport’s first three-division world champ.

The story tells that he only weighed 165 pounds (74 kilos) when he won the heavyweight title.

James J. Jeffries, 1899-1905

On June 9, 1899, James J. Jeffries defeated Bob Fitzsimmons by an eleventh-round KO  to win the heavyweight championship of the world. In his second title defense, he KO’d Jack Finnegan in 45 seconds.

Jeffries would keep the title between 1899-1905.

Marvin Hart, 1905-1906

Marvin Hart knocked out Jack Root in the 12th round to win the vacant championship and sat on the heavyweight throne between 1905-1906, before losing it to Tommy Burns.

Tommy Burns, 1906-1908

Canadian pro boxer Tommy Burns was more often than not the underdog due to his size but ruled the heavyweight world between 1906-1908.

”I will defend my title against all comers, none barred. By this I mean white, black, Mexican, Indian, or any other nationality. I propose to be the champion of the world, not the white, or the Canadian, or the American. If I am not the best man in the heavyweight division, I don’t want the title,” Burns said.

Jack Johnson, 1908-1915

The legendary Jack Johnson became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion when he defeated Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia on Boxing Day 1908, and was the champ until 1915.

However, five years earlier he defeated Denver Ed Martin to win the World colored heavyweight championship.

Jess Willard, 1915-1919

Jess Willard claimed the heavyweight title in 1915 by knocking out Jack Johnson in 1915. Known more for his size than skill, he was still able to keep the title until 1919.

Jack Dempsy, 1926-1928

Jack Dempsey is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and won the belt back in 1919, when he knocked out 37-year-old Jess Willard in a one-sided fight.

As an American cultural icon of the 1920s, many of Dempsey’s bouts set financial and attendance records, including the first-ever million-dollar gate.

Gene Tunney, 1926-1928

The technical boxer Gene Tunney held the world heavyweight title from 1926 to 1928 and retired undefeated as a heavyweight after defeating Tom Heeney in 1928,

Before winning the heavyweight gold he held the American light heavyweight title twice between 1922 and 1923.

Max Schmeling, 1930-1932

German boxer Max Schmeling held the heavyweight title between 1930-1932. Interestingly enough, he won the belt by disqualification after his opponent Jack Sharkey knocked him down with a low blow.

Schmeling’s two fights with American champion Joe Louis, in 1936 and 1938, were massive cultural events because of their national associations. In the 1938’s ”Battle of the Century” the Yankee Stadium crowd threw garbage at the German boxer.

”Looking back, I’m almost happy I lost that fight,” Schmeling said in 1975. ”Just imagine if I would have come back to Germany with a victory. I had nothing to do with the Nazis, but they would have given me a medal. After the war I might have been considered a war criminal.”

Jack Sharkey, 1932-1933

Joseph Paul Zukauskas, also known as Jack Sharkey, was the heavyweight champion between 1932-1933. On June 21, 1932, Sharkey defeated Max Schmeling in a controversial split decision to win the world title.

Zukauskas took the name Jack Sharkey to be accepted in the Irish-dominated boxing community of Boston, inspired by boxer’s Tom Sharkey and Jack Dempsey.

Primo Carnera, 1933-1934

Italy’s Primo Carnera held the heavyweight championship between 1933-1934. Standing 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) tall and weighing 275 pounds (125 kg) he was a huge heavyweight, especially for the time.

The Italian boxer was the third European to ever hold the world heavyweight championship, after Bob Fitzsimmons and Max Schmeling.

Max Baer, 1934-1935

Nebraska-born Max Baer held the world title between 1934-1935 after defeating reigning world champion Primo Carnera at the outdoor Madison Square Garden Bowl at Long Island City, New York.

James J. Braddock, 1935-1937

When James J. Braddock defeated Max Baer in 1935 it was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Baer underestimated the hard-working Braddock who won the title fight via unanimous decision.

”I’m training for a fight, not a boxing contest or a clownin’ contest or a dance,” Braddock said. ”Whether it goes one round or three rounds or ten rounds, it will be a fight and a fight all the way.”

Joel Louis, 1937-1949

Considered to be one of the sport’s all time greats, Joel Louis ruled the heavyweight world from 1937 until his temporary retirement in 1949. ”The Brown Bomber” was victorious in no fewer than 25 consecutive title defenses.

Many historians claim Louis was the first African-American to achieve the status of a nationwide hero in the US.

Ezzard Charles, 1949-1951

Ezzard Charles, also known as the ”Cincinnati Cobra” was the heavyweight champion between 1949-1951 but perhaps more known as one of the greatest light heavyweight boxers of all time.

Jersey Joe Walcott, 1951-1952

Jersey Joe Walcott is regarded to be one of the best heavyweights in the world during the 1940s and 1950s and held the title between 1951-1952. At the time he was the oldest to win the heavyweight strap at age 37.

He lost the belt to the famous Rocky Marciano in September 1952.

Rocky Marciano, 1952-1956

The undefeated Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight champion to end his career with a flawless record (49-0).

Holding the title between 1952-1956, the durable power-puncher defended it six times before retiring in 1956 at 32 years of age.

Floyd Patterson, 1956-1959

At the time of winning the title the first time, Floyd Patterson was boxing’s youngest heavyweight champ at a mere 21 years old. He was also the first Olympic gold medalist to win a professional heavyweight title.

In his first reign he held the title between 1956 and 1959, before losing it to the greatest Swedish boxer of all time.

Ingemar Johansson, 1959-1960

Among all the classic moments in Swedish sports, heavyweight boxer Ingemar Johansson’s 1959 win over Floyd Patterson is perhaps the biggest ever.

After giving Patterson a brutal battering at the Yankee Stadium, Johansson stood as the first, and so far only, heavyweight boxing world champion from Sweden.

Floyd Patterson, 1960-1962

Floyd Patterson became the first champion to recapture the title in an immediate rematch when he viciously knocked out Johansson in 1960.

Patterson then defended the strap twice, against Johansson and Tom McNeeley, before facing one of the most feared heavyweights of all time.

Sonny Liston, 1962-1964

A dominant contender of his time, the legendary Sonny Liston became the world champion in 1962 after knocking out Patterson in the first round. In his first title defense he also became the inaugural WBC heavyweight champion.

The feared Liston was widely regarded as unbeatable in 1964 – and is still seen as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time – however, there was a young and loud prospect who intended to stop Liston in his tracks.

Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967

Often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali is way more than just an athlete, he’s a pop culture phenom and a symbol of hope.

Back in 1964, the world didn’t know what was coming as the 22-year-old Ali won the world title after defeating Sonny Liston in a major upset.

Ali defended the belt nine times before he was stripped of the belt in 1967 due to his refusal to be drafted to army service during the Vietnam war.

Ernie Terrell, 1965-1967

The tall and strong Ernie Terrell held the WBA heavyweight title from 1965 to 1967.

In 1967, Terrell lost a unanimous decision against Muhammad Ali, in a heavyweight title unification bout.

Joe Frazier, 1968-1973

Arguably one of the finest heavyweight boxers of all time, Smokin’ Joe Frazier held the NYSAC heavyweight belt from 1968 to 1973, and was the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973.

As a relentless pressure fighter, Frazier is known for his strength, durability and formidable left hook. Before his pro career, Frazier won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Jimmy Ellis, 1968-1970

Jimmy Ellis won the vacant WBA heavyweight title in 1968 by defeating Jerry Quarry.

In his only successful title defense, he defeated former two-time champion Floyd Patterson by a controversial decision on September 14, 1968, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ellis lost the WBA heavyweight title to Joe Frazier at the Madison Square Garden in 1970.

George Foreman, 1973-1974

Olympic gold medalist George Foreman won the WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles as he knocked out Joe Frazier in 1973.

After defending the strap twice against José Roman and Ken Norton, the heavy-handed heavyweight lost the belt in one of the absolute biggest sports events of all time.

Muhammad Ali, 1974-1978

On October 30, 1974, Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle”.

The international attention the fight gained was nothing but enormous. The boxing grudge match was watched by an estimated TV audience of one billion viewers worldwide, which was around 25 percent (!) of the world’s population at the time.

32-year-old Ali held the titles until 1978.

Leon Spinks, 1978-1978

In his eighth professional boxing bout (!) Leon Spinks won the undisputed heavyweight championship after defeating Muhammad Ali in a split decision in 1978.

The win was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history at the time.

Ken Norton, 1978-1978

Ken Norton is often considered one of greatest heavyweights of all time.

Norton was awarded the WBC title in 1978, after winning a close split decision over Jimmy Young in a title eliminator bout and champion Leon Spinks refused to fight with him.

Larry Holmes, 1978-1985

When Larry Holmes defeated Ken Norton and laid hands on the WBC heavyweight title he would hold it for five years until he relinquished the title in 1983.

In 1980 he won the vacant The Ring heavyweight title from Muhammad Ali, and in December 1983 he was awarded the inaugural IBF title.

He held both titles until 1985. Among the likes of Ken Norton, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, Holmes is widely considered one of greatest heavyweights to ever fight in the ring, and had one of the best jabs in the history of boxing.

Muhammad Ali, 1978-1979

In 1978, Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks to win back the WBA and The Ring heavyweight titles.

He was the first heavyweight champ to win a world title three times.

John Tate, 1979-1980

Olympic bronze medal winner John Tate secured the vacant WBA heavyweight title as he defeated Gerrie Coetzee via unanimous decision is South Africa in October 1979.

Mike Weaver, 1980-1982

Mike Weaver defeated John Tate in 1980 with a knockout in the last round.

He defended the strap twice against Gerrie Coetzee and James Tillis before being put to halt in 1982.

Michael Dokes, 1982-1983

Michael Dokes held the WBA heavyweight title from 1982 to 1983. He knocked out Mike Weaver in the first round to win the strap and defended it once against the same fighter, via a majority draw.

However, in his second title defense he suffered a KO loss against Gerrie Coetzee.

Dokes later won both the WBA Inter-Continental heavyweight title and WBC Continental Americas heavyweight title, but never the heavyweight world title again.

Gerrie Coetzee, 1983-1984

South Africa’s Gerrie Coetzee was the first African in history to ever win a world heavyweight championship, having held the WBA title from 1983 to 1984.

Before finally winning the belt, he unsuccessfully challenged John Tate for the vacant WBA heavyweight title in 1979, and Mike Weaver for the WBA heavyweight title in 1980.

He lost the WBA strap to Greg Page in his first title defense.

Tim Witherspoon, 1984-1984

Former sparring partner of Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, won the WBC title in 1984.

However, he’s perhaps best known for his close fight against undefeated heavyweight world champion Larry Holmes in May 1983. Witherspoon lost the fight via split decision.

Pinklon Thomas, 1984-1986

Pinklon Thomas defeated WBC champion Tim Witherspoon and held the title from 1984 to 1986.

Regarded as one of the best boxers of his generation, Thomas used his patented left jab to win against former heavyweight world champions such as Mike Weaver and James Tillis.

In 1987 he challenged Mike Tyson for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles but lost via KO in round six.

Greg Page, 1984-1985

Greg Page’s successful pro career spanned over 20 years. He won the WBA heavyweight title when he knocked out Gerrie Coetzee in 1984 but lost it in his first title defense in 1985.

Page was also a sparring partner of Mike Tyson.

Tony Tubbs, 1985-1986

Greg Page had beaten Tonu Tubbs six out of seven times in the amateurs, but the latter was able to win the WBA title via fifteen-round unanimous decision. He lost the strap to Tim Witherspoon in his first title defense.

Tubbs later challenged Mike Tyson for the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles in 1988 but lost via TKO in the second round.

Michael Spinks, 1985-1988

Michael Spinks held world championships in two weight classes, including the undisputed light heavyweight title from 1983 to 1985, and the heavyweight title from 1985 to 1988. He won the IBF and The Ring heavyweight titles when he defeated Larry Holmes via unanimous decision.

After his first devastating pro loss, against the formidable Mike Tyson, Spinks retired in 1988 with a 31-1 record.

Tim Witherspoon, 1986-1986

Former WBC champion Tim Witherspoon became a two-time world heavyweight champ as he won the WBA title in 1986 when he defeated Tony Tubbs.

Trevor Berbick, 1986-1986

Jamaican professional boxer Trevor Berbick won the WBC heavyweight title in 1986 when he defeated Pinklon Thomas via unanimous decision, then lost the belt in his first defense in the same year to ”Iron” Mike Tyson.

Berbick is also known to be the last boxer to fight Muhammad Ali in 1981. He won the fight via unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

Mike Tyson, 1986-1990

One of boxing’s biggest stars ever, Mike Tyson, n won his first 19 pro bouts by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. In 1986 he won the WBC heavyweight title by stopping Trevor Berbic. In his next fight, in March 1987, he defeated James Smith to win the WBA heavyweight title.

In August 1987 he defeated Tony Tucker via unanimous decision to win the IBF title. When he knocked out Michael Spinks in June 1988 he laid his hands on The Ring title. Mike Tyson is still the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old.

He was also the first to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously.

James Smith, 1986-1987

James ”Bonecrusher” Smith held the WBA heavyweight title from 1986 to 1987. He won the belt when he knocked out Tim Witherspoon in the first round but lost it to Mike Tyson just months later.

Prior to his title win, back in 1984, he challenged Larry Holmes for the IBF title but lost via TKO in round 12.

Tony Tucker, 1987-1987

Tony Tucker was on top of the world when he won the IBF heavyweight title on May 30 1987. But short is sweet as he became the shortest-reigning world heavyweight champion at just 64 days.

On August 1, 1987, he challenged Mike Tyson for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles but lost via unanimous decision after 12 rounds of action.

In 1993 he challenged Lennox Lewis for the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles and in 1995 he took on Bruce Sheldon for the vacant WBA heavyweight title, but lost both fights.

Francesco Damiani, 1989-1991

Italy’s Francesco Damiani was the first WBO heavyweight champion, and held the title from 1989 to 1991.

He won the inaugural WBO heavyweight title when he defeated Johnny du Plooy via a third-round KO. He then defended the strap twice before losing it to Ray Mercer in January 1991.

Buster Douglas, 1987-1990

In May 1987 Buster Douglas won the vacant IBF heavyweight title when he defeated Tony Tucker via TKO. However, he became known to the whole world when he knocked out an undefeated Mike Tyson to win the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles in February 1990.

Evander Holyfield, 1990-1992

One of the greatest to ever do it, Evander Holyfield, defeated Buster Douglas to win the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles.

He defended the straps three times, including a win against former champion George Foreman, before losing to Riddick Bowe in November 1992.

Before he reigned the heavyweight division, he was the undisputed champion at cruiserweight.

Ray Mercer, 1991-1991

As an amateur, Ray Mercer won a heavyweight gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a pro, he later held the WBO heavyweight title in 1991, making one successful title defense against Tommy Morrison before vacating his title.

Mercer later fought in kick boxing and MMA.

Michael Moorer, 1992-1993

Former WBO light heavyweight champion Michael Moorer won the vacant WBO heavyweight title in May 1992 when he defeated Bert Cooper.

Riddick Bowe, 1992-1993

As an amateur Riddick Bowe won the super heavyweight silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics. As a pro he won the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles as he defeated Evander Holyfield.

In 1993 he lost the straps to Holyfield in a rematch.

Lennox Lewis, 1992-1994

Former Olympic gold medalist Lennox Lewis is one of the best heavyweights we have ever seen in the ring.

He was declared WBC heavyweight champion in 1992 after Riddick Bowe gave up the title. Lewis defended the title three times.

Tommy Morrison, 1993-1993

With his dangerous left hook, Tommy Morrison was a formidable heavyweight who won the WBO heavyweight title in June 1993 with a unanimous decision win over ”Big” George Foreman.

He lost the strap in his second defense to Michael Bentt in October that same year.

Michael Bentt, 1993-1994

Michael Bentt had a very short pro career but won the WBO heavyweight title from Tommy Morrison in 1993, but lost in his first defense to Herbie Hide five months later.

That was Bentt’s last fight.

He Bentt later played Sonny Liston in the 2001 film Ali, with Will Smith in the leading role.

Evander Holyfield, 1993-1994

Evander Holyfield became champion again in 1993. This time he won the WBA and IBF championship when he defeated Riddick Bowe.

However, he lost the belts to Michael Moorer in 1994.

Herbie Hide, 1994-1995

The heavy-handed Herbie Hide held the WBO heavyweight title twice between 1994 and 1999.

His first title reign started in 1994 when he knocked out Michael Bentt to lay his hands on the WBO heavyweight strap. He lost the title in his first defense.

Michael Moorer, 1994-1994

In April 1994, Michael Moorer defeated Evander Holyfield to win the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. However, he lost the belts to George Foreman in November the same year.

Oliver McCall, 1994-1995

Oliver McCall is a true veteran of the game who competed between 1985 to 2019!

In 1994 he shook up the world as he knocked out Lennox Lewis and laid his hands on the WBC heavyweight title. In 1995 he defended the title against Larry Holmes before losing it to Frank Bruno.

George Foreman, 1994-1995

George Foreman won the heavyweight title back in 1973, but against all odds he became a world champion for a second time more than 20 years later.

In At age 45 he won the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles by knocking out 26-year-old Michael Moorer in November 1994. What a man!

Riddick Bowe, 1995-1996

Riddick Bowe became heavyweight champion for a second time in 1995 when he defeated Herbie Hide and secured the WBO title.

Later that year, after retaining the title against Jorge Luis Gonzalez, he vacated the belt to fight Evander Holyfield for a third time.

Bruce Seldon, 1995-1996

Bruce ”The Atlantic City Express” Seldon won the vacant WBA heavyweight title after stopping Tony Tucker in 1995. He defended the belt once against Joe Hipp before losing it to Mike Tyson in 1996.

Frank Bruno, 1995-1996

The pinnacle of UK’s Frank Bruno’s boxing career was snatching the WBC title from Oliver McCall at a packed Wembley Stadium in 1995. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bruno had previously challenged Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Tim Witherspoon for the heavyweight championship but never succeeded.

Mike Tyson, 1996-1996

Mike Tyson became heavyweight champion once more when he stopped Frank Bruno in the latters first title defense in March 1996. Later that same year he won the WBA heavyweight title when he stopped Bruce Seldon in the first round.

Just two months later he lost to Evander Holyfield.

Michael Moorer, 1996-1997

Michael Moorer became a three-time heavyweight world champion in 1996 after winning the vacant IBF heavyweight title against Axel Schulz via split decision.

He defended the strap twice before losing to Evander Holyfield in 1997.

Henry Akinwande, 1996-1997

British boxer Henry Akinwande won the vacant WBO heavyweight title when he knocked out Jeremy Williams in 1996.

After two successful title defenses he lost the strap to Lennox Lewis in 1997.

Evander Holyfield, 1996-1999

Evander Holyfield returned to glory in 1996 to become the new WBA heavyweight title as he stopped Mike Tyson in round 11. He then defended the strap in the infamous rematch where Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear.

After winning the IBF heavyweight title in 1997 eventually lost the belts to Lennox Lewis in 1999.

Lennox Lewis, 1997-2001

Lennox Lewis won the vacant WBC heavyweight title in 1997 when he defeated Oliver McCall. After several successful defenses he won the WBA, IBF, and vacant IBO heavyweight titles from Evander Holyfield in 1999.

After three defenses he lost the straps to Hasim Rahman in 2001.

Herbie Hide, 1997-1999

Herbie Hide became heavyweight champ for a second time in 1997 when he won the vacant WBO title as he defeated Tony Tucker via a second-round TKO.

After two title defenses he lost the strap to Vitali Klitschko in 1999.

Vitali Klitschko, 1999-2000

Enter Vitali Klitschko, one of the most recognizable boxers over the past 20 years.

After winning the WBO title from Herbie Hide he defended it twice before losing it to Chris Byrd in 2000.

Outside of boxing, Klitschko holds a Doctoral Degree from Kyiv University’s Physical Science Department and serves as mayor of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.

Chris Byrd, 2000-2000

Two-time world heavyweight champion Chris Byrd won his first title as he defeated Vitali Klitschko in 2000.

In his first WBO title defense he lost to Vitali’s brother Wladimir Klitschko via unanimous decision.

Evander Holyfield, 2000-2001

Veteran Evander Holyfield is back on the list for the fourth time and last time.

In 2000, he won the vacant WBA heavyweight title as he defeated John Ruiz via unanimous decision. He lost the strap in the rematch just over six months later.

Wladimir Klitschko, 2000-2003

Vitali Klitschko’s younger brother Wladimir Klitschko held the WBO title between 2000-2003. He won the strap against Chris Byrd and defended it five times before losing to Corrie Sanders.

At the 1996 Olympics, Wladimir won gold in the super-heavyweight division.

John Ruiz, 2001-2003

Puerto Rico’s John Ruiz held the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2001 and 2005.  He first won the strap after defeating Evander Holyfield in 2001 and lost it to Roy Jones Jr.

Ruiz is the first Latino boxer to win a world heavyweight title.

Hasim Rahman, 2001-2001

On April 22 2001, Hasim Rahman scored an upset knockout victory against Lennox Lewis to win the unified heavyweight championship.

He lost the belt in a rematch in November the same year.

Lennox Lewis, 2001-2004

British boxing phenom Lennox Lewis once again in November 2001 and was able to hold the WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight belts until 2004.

He defended the strap twice during that time, stopping both Mike Tyson and Vitali Klitschko, before he vacated his remaining titles and retired from boxing in 2004.

Chris Byrd, 2002-2006

In December 2002, Chris Byrd defeated Evander Holyfield to win the vacant IBF heavyweight strap for his second reign as world champ.

Byrd retained the strap four times before losing it in 2006 against Wladimir Klitschko.

Roy Jones Jr., 2003-2004

Some people might have forgotten it, but in his spectacular career, where he held multiple world titles in four weight classes, Roy Jones Jr. was a WBA heavyweight champion between 2003 and 2004.

Jones officially weighed in at 193 lb (88 kg) when he defeated Ruiz, who weighed in at 226 lb (103 kg), via unanimous decision. He became historic as the first boxer to start at light middleweight and win a heavyweight championship.

Impressive indeed!

Corrie Sanders, 2003-2003

In what is considered one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight history Corrie Sanders laid his hands on the WBO heavyweight belt after knocking out Wladimir Klitschko in two rounds. He later vacated the title to face Vitali Klitschko.

The South African heavyweight died in 2012, just 46 years old, after being shot during an armed robbery.

John Ruiz, 2004-2005

Puerto Rico’s John Ruiz became a heavyweight champ for the second time in 2004. He won the interim WBA title after defeating Hasim Rahman in 2003. The next year WBA decided to make Ruiz the official WBA heavyweight champion.

He lost the belt to Nikolai Valuev in 2005.

Lamon Brewster, 2004-2006

Lamon Brewster was the WBO heavyweight champion between 2004 to 2006. The pinnacle of his career was when he scored an upset knockout victory over Wladimir Klitschko to win the vacant title in 2004.

He retained the title three times before losing it in 2006.

Vitali Klitschko, 2004-2005

Vitali Klitschko won the vacant WBC and The Ring heavyweight titles in 2004 but on 9 November 2005, he announced his retirement from professional boxing and vacated his title.

Hasim Rahman, 2005-2006

After Vitali Klitschko’s retirement, the WBC voted to award its heavyweight championship to Hasim Rahman, making him a two-time heavyweight champion.

Rahman lost the strap to Oleg Maskaev by a 12th round TKO in 2006.

Nikolai Valuev, 2005-2007

Standing at a height of 2.13 metres (7 ft) and weighing 149 kilograms (328 lb) Nikoalai Valuev is best known for his intimidating stature. In fact, the Russian is the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.

Nikolai Valuev won the WBA heavyweight title twice between 2005 and 2009. The first time he defeated John Ruiz via majority decision back in 2005 and defended it three times.

Siarhei Liakhovich, 2006-2006

Siarhei Liakhovich is a Belarusian professional boxer who held the WBO heavyweight title in 2006.

He won the strap when he defeated Lamon Brewster in April, but lost it in his first title defense in November against Shannon Briggs.

Wladimir Klitschko, 2006-2015

In 2006 former world champion Wladimir Klitschko won the IBF and vacant IBO heavyweight titles as he stopped Chris Byrd.

The former Olympic gold medalist won the WBO heavyweight title and the vacant The Ring heavyweight title before losing them to Tyson Fury in 2005.

Oleg Maskaev, 2006-2008

Former Soviet Army boxing champion Oleg Maskaev won the WBC heavyweight title as he stopped Hasim Rahman in the last round in their title fight in August 2006.

He defended the strap against Okello Peter in December 2006 before losing it to Samuel Peter in 2008.

Shannon Briggs, 2006-2007

Knockout artist Shannon Briggs stopped Siarhei Liakhovich to win the WBO heavyweight title back in 2006. He then lost to Sultan Ibragimov in his first title defense.

Briggs was known for his insane punching power and aggression, finishing almost 90 percent of his fights. In 68 fights he had 37 knockouts in the first round.

Ruslan Chagaev, 2007-2009

Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev defeated Nikolai Valuev to claim the WBA heavyweight title in 2007. He defended the strap twice before losing it to Wladimir Klitschko.

Chagaev is considered by many to be one of the greatest Asian boxers of all time.

Sultan Ibragimov, 2007-2008

Sultan Ibragimov defeated Shannon Briggs to become the WBO champion in 2007. He defended the strap against Evander Holyfield before losing it to Wladimir Klitschko.

As an amateur he won silver medals at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. All in all he had over 130 fights as an amateur.

Samuel Peter, 2008-2008

Samuel ”The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter defeated Oleg Maskaev via TKO in March 2008 before losing it to Vitali Klitschko in October the same year.

He later challenged Wladimir Klitschko for the IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles but lost via KO.

Nikolai Valuev, 2008-2009

The massive Nikolai Valuev won back the WBA heavyweight title in 2008 against John Ruiz.

He defended the belt against Evander Holyfield before losing it to David Haye 2009.

Vitali Klitschko, 2008-2013

Vitali Klitschko held the WBC title between 2008 and 2013. He won it be defeating Samuel Peter and defended it nine times

On 15 December 2013, Klitschko stepped back from boxing. Overall, he defeated 15 opponents in world heavyweight title fights during his succcessful career.

David Haye, 2009-2011

David Haye held multiple world championships in two weight classes.

After becoming a unified cruiserweight world champion in 2008 he moved up to heavyweight and won the WBA title in 2009 after defeating the massive Nikolai Valuev, who had a height advantage of 23 cm (9 inches) in height and 45 kg (99 pounds).

Bermane Stiverne, 2014-2015

Bermane Stiverne held the WBC heavyweight title from 2014 to 2015 after defeating Chris Arreola for the vacant WBC heavyweight title. He then lost it to Deontay Wilder in his first title defense.

Deontay Wilder, 2015-2020

Due to his exceptional punching power, Deontay Wilder held the WBC heavyweight title from 2015 to 2020 defending it ten times. All of his title defenses came via stoppage except the draw against Tyson Fury in 2018.

Fury eventually defeated Wilder in 2020 via TKO in the seventh round.

Tyson Fury, 2015-2016

After defeating Wladimir Klitschko by a unanimous decision in 2015,  Tyson ”The Gypsy King” Fury became the heavyweight champion for the first time and held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.

On 12 October 2016, a depressed Fury decided to vacate his titles.

Charles Martin, 2016-2016

Americas Charles Martin’s 85-day reign as champion is the second-shortest in heavyweight boxing history.

He defeated Vyacheslav Glazkov to win the vacant IBF belt in January 2016, but lost it in his first title defense in April against Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua, 2016-2019

Former Olympic gold medalst Anthony Joshua is one of the best boxers in the past ten years.

After taking the IBF title from Charles Martin he won the vacant WBA (Super) and IBO heavyweight titles as he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2017.

Joshua then won the WBO heavyweight title after defeating Joseph Parker. However, he lost all the titles in a big upset against Andy Ruiz Jr in 2019.

Joseph Parker, 2016-2018

New Zealand’s Joseph Parker was the WBO champion between 2016 and 2018.

Parker became the first heavyweight boxer from New Zealand to win a world title as he defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. for the vacant WBO belt. He then defended the strap twice before losing in to Anthony Joshua.

Andy Ruiz Jr., 2019-2019

Andy Ruiz Jr. became a heavyweight world champion when he sensationally defeated Anthony Joshua to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles in 2019.

Ruiz defeated Joshua by technical knockout in the seventh-round at the classic Madison Square Garden.

He made history as the first male boxer of Mexican heritage to win a world heavyweight championship.

Anthony Joshua, 2019-2021

Anthony Joshua won back his titles in 2019 after defeating Andy Ruiz Jr. via unanimous decision. He then defended the belts once against Kubrat Pulev before losing to Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.

Tyson Fury, 2020-Present

Tyson Fury became a heavyweight champion for the second time as he won the WBC and vacant The Ring heavyweight titles when he defeated Deontay Wilder in 2020.

So far, Fury defended the WBC strap three times. In his last fight, that was not for the belt, he defeated Francis Ngannou after a close fight.

Oleksandr Usyk, 2021-Present

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk has held multiple world championships in two weight classes.

After stepping up to heavyweight, the former cruiserweight champ won the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles after defeating Anthony Joshua. He so far defended the straps twice against Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

Usyk is expected to face WBC champion Tyson Fury in 2024.

Can’t get enough of boxing? Check out the storys below!

Read more: Top 5 iconic Muhammad Ali fights

Read more: The 40 Best Amateur Boxers in Sweden Right Now

Read more: Top 7 most epic moments in Swedish combat sports history!

---

Follow Frontkick on Instagram for more boxing news!